Sally Fitzgibbons on target for US title hat-trick

Chasing a third consecutive world surfing tour event win, Sally Fitzgibbons has led a trio of Australians into the US Open semi-finals in California.

Sally Fitzgibbons is one of three Australians to qualify for the semi-finals of the US Open, a world tour event at Huntington Beach in California. Picture: KENNY MORRIS/ASP

SURFING

Chasing a third consecutive world surfing tour event win, Sally Fitzgibbons has led a trio of Australians into the US Open semi-finals in California.

The 23-year-old, ranked No 2 in the world going into the event, overcame France's Johanne Defay at Huntington Beach to move into the semis where she'll join fellow Aussies Tyler Wright and Stephanie Gilmore.

Fitzgibbons scored a two-wave total of 9.33 out of 20 in her quarter-final, with Defay managing only 4.66.

Five-time world champion Gilmore awaits after she overcame young American Lakey Peterson 11.70 to 10.03 in her quarter-final.

Wright also reached the last four with a strong win over defending event and world champion Carissa Moore.

The NSW surfer stormed into the semis with a two-wave total of 15.93 to set up a last-four clash with American Malia Manuel, who spoiled hopes of an all-Australian last four by beating young Victorian Nikki van Dijk in the other quarter-final. - AAP